Famous bear 'Knut' dies

Beloved polar bear “Knut,” made a star when he was raised by zookeepers after his mother rejected him, died at his Berlin Zoo enclosure Saturday at just four years old. Bears in the wild live around 20 years; in captivity they live even longer..

EPA

Knut became a favorite when his caretaker, Thomas Doerflein, moved into the enclosure in order to raise him and feed him every few hours. The pair is seen here during the last of their days together, as the animal became to big to be so closely handled.

ZUMA Press

Child’s play: Cuddly cub Knut shakes himself dry while playing at the zoo.

ZUMAPRESS.com

A baby Knut grapples with a soccer ball.

Reuters

A natural: Knut appears to wave to the crowd in this March 23, 2007, shot.

AFP/Getty Images

Not one his better days: A grouchy-looking Knut in his enclosure in 2008.

AFP/Getty Images

Clowning around: Knute sticks his tongue out while celebrating his first birthday in 2007.

AFP/Getty Images

Uncanny resemblance: Knute lounges next to a fan with a stuffed animal in tin 2010.

AFP/Getty Images

Knut digs in to his “cake” and other treats on his fourth birthday Dec. 5, 2010.

ZUMAPRESS.com

An autopsy will be performed. Most polar bears live between 15 to 20 years in the wild, but bears in captivity can live for even longer.